Science faculty: No “weaknesses” in evolution

A new survey of science faculty at Texas universities showed that 94 percent reject the idea that there are weaknesses in the theory of evolution, an argument used by proponents of creationism and intelligent design to persuade teachers to “teach the controversy” over evolution.

The survey was paid for the Texas Freedom Network, an Austin-based non-profit that works to keep religion out of public school science curriculum.

By law, teachers must teach students about evolution, the scientific theory that life forms evolve over time through natural selection of traits that aid in survival. Biblical accounts of human origins, as well as intelligent design — the theory that some supernatural force created life on Earth– are considered religion, and are not part of science curriculum in public schools.

However, creationists say there is serious controversy about evolution among the scientific community, and that teachers ought to point out weaknesses in Darwin’s theory.

The TFN survey, however, indicates little controversy among scientists at Texas universities.

Raymond Eve, a sociologist at the University of Texas at Arlington sent the survey to 1,019 biologists and biological anthropologists at all 35 public universities and the 15 largest private colleges in the state. About 45 percent responded.

Here are the results:

•97.7 percent rejected intelligent design as valid science

•95 percent want only evolution taught in science classrooms

•94 percent said the weaknesses in evolutionary theory are not valid scientific objections

•79.6 percent believe emphasizing “weaknesses” of evolution would harm students’ college readiness and 72 percent said it would harm their ability to compete for 21st century jobs

•91 percent believe support for evolution is compatible with religious faith.